Bank Employees should not be deputed for Census Duty: UFBU

The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has opposed the deployment of bank employees and officers for Census-related work. In a letter dated November 5, 2026, addressed to the Chief Executive of the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA), UFBU requested the IBA to take up the matter with the Department of Financial Services (DFS) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to ensure that bank employees are not deputed for the proposed Census work.

Recently, as per a Ministry of Home Affairs notification dated October 16, 2026, issued by the Office of the Registrar General. According to the notification, following an amendment to the Census Rules, 1990, the Government may appoint clerical staff and officers from banks as Enumerators for carrying out Census-related work.

The big concern is the existing shortage of staff in bank branches. UFBU stated that employees and officers are already struggling to manage their workload because of inadequate staff strength. Due to the shortage, existing employees are finding it difficult to complete even their routine banking work within the stipulated office hours. Many bank employees are required to stay beyond regular office hours to complete their work. This is already putting considerable physical and mental pressure on employees and officers.

UFBU warned that deputing bank employees for Census work would further aggravate the existing problems and increase stress and workload on the remaining staff. UFBU also pointed out that such a move could adversely affect customer services in bank branches.

If employees are assigned Census duties in addition to their regular banking responsibilities, customers may face difficulties in accessing banking services. Employees, officers and branch managers may also have to face customers’ dissatisfaction and bear the consequences of service-related problems.

In view of these concerns, UFBU has requested the Indian Banks’ Association to take up the issue with the Department of Financial Services and the Ministry of Home Affairs and ensure that bank employees are not deputed for the proposed Census work.

The letter was signed by representatives of all seven constituent organisations of UFBU: C.H. Venkatachalam (AIBEA), Rupam Roy (AIBOC), L. Chandrasekhar (NCBE), Sanjay Khan (AIBOA), Debasish Basu Choudhary (BEFI), Prem Makker (INBOC) and O.P. Sharma (INBEF).

Copies of the letter have also been sent to the Chairman of the Indian Banks’ Association in Mumbai, the Secretary of the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, New Delhi, and the Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi.

Click here to read – What are the duties of Census Enumerator